Victims of crime to have say on parole

DANNY Brodie has virtually had to sign his life away because of a violent assault, so he would not hesitate to sign away his attacker's freedom.

Gladstone man Mr Brodie, 31, is still suffering from being bashed in Bundaberg's CBD on April 24, last year. Mark Vivian Eade , 19, is serving a 10-year-jail term for the assault, which has left Mr Brodie disfigured and blind in one eye.

Mr Brodie and other victims of assault will be able to have a say on their attacker's parole under new legislation to be introduced next year.

Under the laws, any victim of violent crime or sexual assault, immediate family members of a deceased victim or the guardian of a child, could register to make a submission. Recently Police Minister Judy Spence said victims could express their views on the prisoner's release and make conditions.

Mr Brodie said he would 'definitely' write a submission if Eade applied for parole.

'But I feel he should go into a hospital,' Mr Brodie said

'I don't agree with jail ? jail will only make him worse and obviously he has got problems.'

At the time Eade was sentenced, Mr Brodie commented that the crime had not only ruined his life, but also that of Eade.

'It's wrecked two lives. He's wrecked mine and his,' Mr Brodie said at the time.

Mr Brodie was attacked by a group of men after stepping in to help a workmate who had been set upon by a group of youths in Bundaberg's CBD.

Eade and the other offenders hit him with a hockey stick before running over him in a car as he lay helpless on the ground.